Manchester’s Hut Group to launch its own airline

Manchester-based global consumer brand and technology firm The Hut Group (THG) said on Thursday it will launch its own cargo airline called THG Air via a partnership with Singapore Airlines.

The Hut Group said the partnership with Singapore Airlines will charter a series of more than 100 flights and that THG Air will buy and operate two of its own dedicated cargo planes.

“The partnership with Singapore Airlines will see THG remove its reliance on scheduled passenger services,” said THG.

“This is in response to both recent unprecedented disruption across the airline industry, and THG’s strong international sales growth.

“Since the start of 2020, THG has been running successful trials, using dedicated cargo flights to service its global operations, especially across the Asia region.

“The significant success of these trials has provided THG with the confidence to embark on this new partnership with Singapore Airlines and for THG to go a step further and announce the launch of THG Air.”

By the end of October 2020, THG said it will have two of its own cargo planes live, branded with the THG Air livery, operating out of Manchester Airport, where THG has its headquarters.

THG CEO Matthew Moulding said: “The recent disruption across the airline industry has brought huge challenges in the movement of goods across the globe.

“This led us to accelerate our trials for dedicated cargo planes to link together our own global manufacturing and distribution centres.

“These trials have proved a great success, resulting in today’s partnership with Singapore Airlines.

“The trials have also given us the confidence to supplement this partnership with the launch of two of our own cargo planes, under the livery of THG Air.

“The partnership with Singapore Airlines places us in the strong position of having secured routes from UK to Asia for the foreseeable future, enabling us to keep our supply chain moving and delivering goods – including essential items such as vitamins, personal care and hygiene products.”

Sherine Teo, Vice President of Digital and E-Commerce Logistics, Singapore Airlines, said: “We welcome this partnership with THG, which facilitates the movement of goods across Asia and supports global supply chains.

“This collaboration will leverage Singapore Airlines’ flight network to ensure timely and efficient supply and delivery of THG goods to its customers.”

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